Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Milanese
Description
Crispy air fryer chicken cutlets with a golden Parmesan-panko crust, topped with a quick cherry tomato-basil sauce. An easy Italian dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts , (about 1½ lb), halved horizontally into 4 cutlets
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil spray
For the tomato-basil sauce
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 shallot, peeled and diced
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup dry red wine
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Place each cutlet between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even ½-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up three shallow dishes: flour in one; beaten eggs in another; panko, Parmesan, and garlic powder mixed in the third.
- Dredge each cutlet in flour (shake off excess), dip in egg, then press into the panko mixture to coat both sides well.
- Let the breaded cutlets rest 5–10 minutes, then lightly spray both sides with olive oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange cutlets in a single layer without overlapping (work in batches if needed). Air fry 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While the chicken cooks, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the shallot until soft, 2–3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper; cook until they begin to burst, about 5 minutes. Pour in the red wine, scrape up any browned bits, and simmer 3–4 minutes. Stir in the basil off the heat.
- Top each cutlet with a spoonful of sauce and serve with lemon wedges.
Equipment
- Meat mallet
- 3 shallow dishes for breading
- Olive Oil Spray
- Instant-read thermometer
Notes
- For gluten-free, use GF flour and GF panko.
- Substitute chicken broth + a splash of red wine vinegar for the wine if preferred.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to re-crisp.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 23gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 698mgPotassium: 522mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1040IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 167mgIron: 2mg